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Daughter of the River Country

By: Dianne O'Brien, Sue Williams
Narrated by: Lisa Maza
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Publisher's Summary

From stolen childhood to remarkable leader. An inspirational true story of one of Australia's stolen aboriginal generation.

Born in country NSW in the 1940s, baby Dianne is immediately taken from her Indigenous parents and adopted by an Irish couple. Raised in the era of the 'White Australia' policy and widespread racism, Dianne grows up believing her adoptive mother, Val, is her birth mother. Val promises Dianne that when she turns 15, she will 'tell her a story'. But just months before Dianne's 15th birthday, Val dies.

Abandoned by her stepfather, Dianne is raped, sentenced to a girls' home and later forced to marry her rapist. She gives birth to a baby girl - the first of seven children - and goes on to endure years of horrific domestic violence at the hands of different partners, drug and alcohol addiction, and cruel betrayal by those closest to her. But miraculously her fighting spirit is not extinguished.

At the age of 29, Dianne learns she is Aboriginal and that her grandfather was William Cooper, a famous Aboriginal activist and community leader. She chooses to forgive the past and becomes a leader in her own right, dedicating her future to helping others who may not know they are Aboriginal, other 'missing people' just like her.

Daughter of the River Country is one woman's remarkable true story of abuse, survival and, ultimately, hope.

©2021 Dianne O'Brien (P)2021 Bonnier Books UK

Critic Reviews

"A compelling memoir about the power of love and staying the course." (Linda Burney, Australian MP)

What listeners say about Daughter of the River Country

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Fantastic story of Resilience and Hope

I have not finished this book yet but I only purchased it yesterday and have listened to the first 4 chapters. It is a wonderful story, vividly told and I cant wait to listen again tonight. Just wanted to post a review in the interim as this is an important story for all Australians and those anywhere inteterested in the journey of First people and women everywhere.

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Resilience

Wow! What an amazingly strong woman!
Such a hard, hard life and no matter what, she never gave up. So inspirational. I'm crying.
And beautifully narrated. Thank you for sharing your story

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important biography

It helps to comprehend the hardships Aboriginal people have gone through and what Stolen Generation means for the victims.

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Truly Inspirational

The best example of why certain people are brought into my life happened on friday, as I was working on the book stand. A customer inquired about Indigenous tilted we had available, and he told me about his great grandmother's book, 'Daughter of the river country'.
We sparked up a conversation, and I told him about my pursuit of becoming a counsellor and how I had learnt about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
Little did I know that this book would not only move me to tears in a healing kind of way, but that it would remind me of why I wanted to help others.
A therapist had suggested years ago that I should consider becoming a counsellor because as he said, you can't teach the insights I had found through my life experiences but also that the choice I had make to be a loving compassionate human was exactly what being a counsellor all about.
I am so inspired by Dianne dedication to helping others and can now see why the therapist had said that I could really make a difference because of the insight I have found in going through my struggles.
Once I started listening to the audio, I could not stop.
When you go through trauma and tough experiences in life, it can feel so lonely at times, though reading about the incredible resilience of others gives you hope that you can too, turn things around in life and that is why I want to empower other and give them support, in the same way I have received throughout my life.
'Daughter of the river country' is definitely a 'RACHY RECOMMENDATION' 😊😊😊
I was meant to read this book!!!

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Truly inspiring

Such an inspiring story, Dianne overcame so much in her life and went on to become the incredible, well respected and humble Aunty she is today.

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Encapsulated

I could not stop listening. I'm in awe of Dianes' strength and resilience. Truly inspirational.

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Brilliant..

Thankyou Aunty Di for sharing your incredible story..
Your selflessness and courage to help others.

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Thank you for sharing

I thought I had chosen a fictional story. But was delighted to listen Diane's colourful life (not sure if that is the right terminology). I am always interested in peoples paths through these hard times. Thank you for sharing your journey.

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incredible story!!

what a remarkable woman. I'm so glad I picked this book. so much strength and love to share despite what a life she had. Aunty Di, you're a beautiful lady xx

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.